The Metro reported yesterday that Arsenal sent scouts to watch Portugal midfielder William Carvalho at the under-21 European Championships.

The 23-year-old has long been heralded as the answer to Arsenal’s defensive midfielder problem, even before the emergence of Francis Coquelin.

Carvalho showed why is so highly-rated by winning Player of the Tournament at Euro 2015, despite missing the crucial penalty in the final defeat against Sweden. In truth, he looked a cut-above most of his opponents for much of the tournament, although he may be older than most.

The reported fee of £19.8million is not a massive one for a young player who is so highly-rated and supposedly in-demand, with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham also being linked with the defensive midfielder.

There is no doubt that Arsenal are in need of an extra defensive midfielder this summer. Whether that be to compete with Francis Coquelin or be back-up to the Frenchman an extra defensive shield is needed.

For me Carvalho looks like the ideal signing for the Gunners. He is not ridiculously expensive by modern day standards, he has time to develop and he plays as a defensive midfielder, which is a position Arsenal are short in.

Whether the Gunners will make a move for the midfielder this summer remains to be seen, but he could be a very shrewd signing indeed if they do.